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Amid reports of foreign travelers — and US citizens — being wrongfully detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), European countries and Canada have updated their travel advisories, strictly urging citizens to follow US entry rules and laws to avoid the potential risk of detention.
While Germany, the UK, and Canada heightened their travel guidelines, informing citizens to be prepared with any and all paperwork, Denmark and Finland adjusted their advisories to reflect the Trump administration’s executive order, which claims that the US recognizes only two sexes. Denmark and Finland advise transgender travelers to notify the US Embassy before visiting the country.
As the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown, here’s what Americans think about other countries’ travel guideline changes:
1.”It’s a good idea. This country right now is nuttier than a peanut farm. I live in the US and don’t want to travel anywhere domestically.”
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2.”I mean…it’s justified, but it seems to me that it’s all the same stuff that applies to Americans when we go to Europe or any other country. I don’t understand why following a country’s immigration laws is a big deal — especially since it’s not really news when other countries kick out people who are there illegally, too.”
3.”Keep it up — do not waste money coming here. The only way is to hit them in the pocketbook.”
4.”I’m a white male and US citizen, and I’ve traveled all over the world, including the USSR (back when that existed). In general, I’ve found that border control people aren’t exactly the friendliest of types, but they’re generally business-like, impersonal, and efficient about things: you show your passport, they wave you through, and so on — except in the USA. The border control there is inefficient, rude, and just generally unpleasant. This is based on my return trips in 2022 and 2024. I’d hate to imagine it now, so I think these travel advisories are worth considering. Once you’re inside the country, I think you’d have a decent enough time, but I’d suggest taking your tourism funds somewhere else for the time being. It’s a big, big, big world. As Douglas Adams might say, the US needs to hang a sign outside our door: ‘Come back when we’re sane.'”
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5.”I don’t care.”
6.”Hell, I live here and don’t feel safe anymore. I am actually renewing my passport, just in case. I did not feel safe mailing my old passport and birth certificate off, and I literally wondered if the government would just keep both and stop renewing passports, period. I ordered a new copy of my birth certificate and am waiting until I have that before I apply. It’s unfathomable that a native-born American citizen feels this way. I don’t think my fears are unfounded or illogical; the inmates are in charge of the asylum in America.”
7.”It’s embarrassing. We are an absolute embarrassment.”
8.”The travel warnings make complete sense. They are warning citizens traveling to the US not to overstay their visas, not to provide inaccurate purposes of visit, and not to commit crimes because those will put them at risk for detention and deportation. I think that is entirely reasonable, both for the US and for the countries warning their citizens what not to do while abroad.”
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9.”I wouldn’t come to the US either.”
10.”I am sad, but I think it’s appropriate. My company offers me the chance to move to Canada, but it’s for less pay, and my wife would need to find a new job. I’m seriously considering it, though.”
11.”They’re right to do so. Shit, I’ve looked into leaving the US ever since the Trump administration has made it pretty clear how they feel about Latinos. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be able to. And to the Latinos who voted fro Trump: you sold us and yourself out.”
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12.”Embarrassing but necessary.”
13.”I hope more countries issue travel warnings. Actually, I wish they’d all just ban or boycott travel to the US. It’s going to take a massive economic hit to get through to many Trump supporters.”
14.”Good. It’s not safe here. If you accidentally get the wrong visa, you’re likely to be detained for several weeks.”
15.”Who cares? Those countries aren’t going to ban American travelers. Half of the towns there rely on tourists for large portions of income (not just Americans), and they aren’t actually going to stop their own tourists since many Europeans still visit the US. This is just a dumb publicity stunt because the leaders of those countries don’t like Trump. It’s fair to dislike him; take all the political shots you want since he makes a good target. But at the same time, don’t make empty threats and statements. Either do something tangible or be quiet.”
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16.”We have political unrest, several separate disease outbreaks, and multiple reports of foreigners being unlawfully detained by US law enforcement. I certainly wouldn’t want to travel to a nation experiencing those things, so it makes sense that other governments would advise their citizens to avoid doing so.”
17.”The ‘warning’ issued was a reminder to obey the US immigration laws since they will be enforced. I don’t have a problem with that. As an American, whenever I travel, I wouldn’t even think about messing around with the local immigration laws. I’m a guest in their country — the least I can do is follow their laws. So, I don’t know what the big deal is.”
18.Lastly: “I’m unsurprised. It’s sad how far we’ve fallen and how incredibly damaged our international reputation and credibility have become in a matter of months. But millions of Americans saw this coming and unfortunately couldn’t stop it.”
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If you’re an American, how do you feel about these updated travel advisories? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using this form.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
